Five indulgent days Fran and Sandy Caruth (Vancouver Branch) had a ball at the RSCDS Winter School
Fran and Sandy Caruth. We wound our way through the snow dusted hills of Perthshire into the town of Pitlochry, turned right under the imposing stone arch of the railway bridge and saw on the hill above us the towering facade of the Atholl Palace Hotel. For first time visitors from the West Coast of Canada it was an awe-inspiring sight and a foretaste of an amazing week. The building is truly impressive and its accommodation very comfortable. We could scarcely have wanted for more: elegance, great music and dancing, first class food and always someone in the lounge to sit around and chat to. The very first person we met inside was Linda Gaul, our hostess for the week, and it’s hard not to grant her huge credit for the hospitality that was the hallmark of our stay in Pitlochry. Winter School in Scotland had always been a distant dream; now it was a reality. We also knew the reputation of the teaching and music staff for the week, and we were delighted to see them so unstintingly involved in making the informal social activities work every bit as well as the scheduled classes and dances. There were 4 morning classes, just 2 of which were held in the Hotel itself, the other 2 were in the town, a short walk away; and we rotated daily, so that it was all shared. It was in these classes that talent shone. One couldn’t help but be impressed with the way they were conducted, each teacher bringing their own brand of humour and knowledge. Sessions started empathetically and evolved into well-rounded skills development, embellished of course by occasional physical investment. We were fortunate to be with some very good dancers and we were impressed with the quality of dancing in these classes – a little something to take home as it were. The woods behind the hotel offer some
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Dancers go through their paces in a class at Winter School.
Musicians at Winter School. delightful walks – past the Black Spout Falls to the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland, or to the village of Moulin so we were pleased to have walking shoes with us. We also found some time for shopping in Pitlochry and the not-so-distant House of Bruar. Each evening featured a social dance with the resident musicians rotating duties. The programmes of familiar dances, easily recapped, provided plenty of opportunities to meet and dance with people from other classes. The après socials in the elegant lounge with its lovely deep sofas were again driven by the energies of the musicians and the younger and fitter who put on some excellent impromptu performances. These soirees were open to participation by anyone, according to inclination or inspiration, so come prepared. The ceilidh on Wednesday night, organised by Dave Hall, was less formal than those we
have seen in North America as it mixed ceilidh dancing with volunteer performances. It was nice to sit back and be thoroughly entertained, but again a little forethought and preparation before coming might have helped generate wider participation. The highlight of the week was the formal ball at Blair Castle, to which we travelled by coach, unfortunately missing the spectacle of the illuminated exterior. The ballroom by contrast was dimly lit, in the style of yesteryear with walls clad in stag horn trophies and historical artefacts. The programme was thoughtfully manageable and the music, as always, made the evening whirl by and had us back on the bus before we had really absorbed it all. Without question this was the highest calibre workshop we have attended and we can roundly commend it to anyone looking for the best in Scottish country dancing – and Scottish hospitality.
